Air filters that are fitted with fine dust filters, the so-called HEPA filters (high efficiency particle air filter), which filter a large amount of dust as well as other solid particles such as pollen, fungal spores and mite faeces from the air can considerably reduce indoor air pollution. Various tests have now proven that this works, including one by TÜV Nord Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Ventilation Technology. But even amongst HEPA air purifiers there are considerable differences. We’ll tell you what to look out for when you are buying one.
Indoor air purifiers have been on the market for around 10 years now. Generally, they are portable and fairly small electrical devices which suck in indoor air that is polluted with dust particles and allergens using a ventilator and then direct this air through a HEPA filter. There the air is cleaned as thoroughly as possible and blown back out into the room. If you would like to minimise the difficulties caused by a pollen allergy by putting an air purifier in the bedroom, we have compiled a list of the primary criteria to help you make the right choice:
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Degree of efficiency
HEPA filters of the same class achieve the same degree of efficiency (separation rate). However, this only applies to the air that passes through these filters. False air, meaning air that, owing to the purifier’s construction, is not directed over the filter surface is blown back into the room with the same level of pollution as before. This considerably reduces the efficiency of the air purification.
Our recommendation: The filter should be securely fitted in the device in a frame or similar construction, and should also be sealed off from the housing. The housing should be solid and manufactured without unwanted open points.
2. Air capacity
The so-called air capacity is a decisive factor determining the efficacy of the air purifier, which is generally given in m³/h: the quantity of air that passes through the device per hour. Here the maximum air capacity must not be the same as the room size, since that is far from sufficient. Only acalculation can ensure that the device is capable of filtering the room’s air twice per hour at its maximum ventilator setting. Established test procedure specifies this calculation for air filters:
Our recommendation: First determine the volume of the room in which you are going to use the device: length x width x height of the room in metres. Now divide the maximum air capacity of the selected device by 2. If this value is the same or higher than the room volume calculated, then the size of the device is suitable.
3. Unit size
In choosing the “right” air purifier, size also plays a hefty role. This is because putting a large air purifier in a small room doesn’t make much sense.
Our recommendation: The chosen air purifier should have the right dimensions to fit nicely into the room and should not be placed too close to a bed, couch or desk so as to avoid uncomfortable draughts coming from the air outlet.
4. Volume
For a long time, comfort features such as appearance, size and volume were regarded as secondary in importance, because a few years ago pollen allergy-sufferers were happy just to find a suitable air purifier. Volume, however, is particularly important when choosing an air purifier because the devices are generally used in bedrooms and offices.
Our recommendation: The noise produced by the device should be given. Here the description “quiet” is not enough, rather the effective value in dB or dB (A) should be indicated for each ventilator setting.
5. Control features
A timer function controls the hourly application of the air purifier and reduces energy costs. However, timer functions often only allow the air purifier to switch off after a specific operating time, after 2, 4 or 6 hours, for example. They rarely allow the device to switch on after a time delay, which would make more sense.
Our recommendation: A modern air purifier should have both an energy-saving automatic mode and a timer, which allows time-delayed activation and deactivation of the device.
6. Buying replacement filters
Dirty HEPA filters and pre-filters need to be replaced. The effective times and standard times for the filters are largely dependent on the type and duration of use and the level of air pollution.
Our recommendation: Each manufacturer should provide some guideline information on this and should also supply the replacement filters. Only in this way can you get an overview of the actual costs of air purification.
Pollen allergy sufferers trust in Trotec’s air purifier expertise
AirgoClean 105 S and AirgoClean 205 S are the branded edition of a multi-award- winning air purifier range tried and tested by millions of people all over the world. Our devices meet all of the criteria presented above.
- Efficiency: Both air purifiers in the AirgoClean series are fitted with active coal True HEPA filter combinations, which guarantee the safe filtration of 99.7 % of all air-borne pollutants up to a size of just 0.3 micrometres.
- Air capacity With a maximum air capacity of 253 m³/h, the AirgoClean 105 S is perfect for rooms up to 85 m³. With a maximum air capacity of 510 m³/h, the AirgoClean 205 S is designed for rooms up to 170 m³..
- Size: With Trotec devices, taking up too much space is never an issue and our compact air purifiers are no exception to this.
- Volume: When it comes to our noise emissions we make it plain and simple, of course: from 52 db (A) at ventilation level 1, to 54 db (A) in ventilation level 2 and 58 db (A) in ventilation level 3 (example AirgoClean 205 S)
- Control features: AirgoClean 105 S and AirgoClean 205 S both have energy-saving automatic modes as well as a timer function that works over a period of 1-18 hours.
- Buying replacement filters: As accessories you can buy both active coal pre-filters and the True HEPA Filters for the AirgoClean range.
Clean air for pollen allergy sufferers – with innovative solutions from Trotec
Find out about all of the advantages offered to you by our air quality management system with air purifiers from Trotec. And take advantage of our current offer price:
- the air purifier AirgoClean 105 S reduced from £313.83 to just £158.19
- the air purifier AirgoClean 205 S reduced from £418.43 to just £202.13
incl. VAT – now available in the Trotec shop!
